Stockton Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue

INTRODUCTION

Disasters can occur at any time. When they happen in the City of Stockton, the Fire Department is the first to be called. For this reason, the Stockton Fire Department developed our Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Team. Whether it's a building collapse trapping 100 people or a child that falls into a deep, vertical shaft, we provide the knowledge and resources to safely, and effectively, provide US&R service to those in need.

HISTORY

The concept for a standardized US&R program was developed following the 1985 earthquakes in  Mexico City. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CA-OES) realized the possibility for the same type of catastrophe happening in the United States. FEMA identified areas of the Mexico City incident that could be improved and developed a concept of trained teams, strategically located around the Nation, and equipped for immediate response to similar incidents. CA-OES became the coordinating agency for teams in the State of California.

The Stockton Fire Department (SFD) acknowledged the potential for similar incidents within its own jurisdiction and sent five of its members through the California State Fire Marshal Heavy Rescue pilot program at Port Hueneme in 1986.

By 1989, former Fire Chief Doug Ratto designated Truck 3 as SFD's US&R unit with Captain Russel Davenport (retired) and then Firefighter Carl Mills as instructors. At that time the equipment requirements for US&R were minimal by today's standards and consisted of twenty carabiners, two 8 plates, three rescue ropes, a few lengths of nylon webbing, and a couple of mechanical ascenders.

Since then, the requirements for US&R equipment and training have grown exponentially, as has the SFD US&R Team. CA-OES now types local agency resources as Type 4 (Basic), Type 3 (Light), Type 2 (Medium), and Type 1 (Heavy) based on standardized equipment lists, training and operational capability. The table below defines CA-OES resource typing.

OES Urban Search and Rescue Resource Types

(ref. FIRESCOPE Field Operations Guide ICS 420-1, 06/04)

Our Technical Rescue resources consist of one Type 1 (Heavy) Truck (Truck 3) and two Type 3 (Light) Trucks (Trucks 2 and 4), and over eighty members, more than fifty of whom have been trained to the OES Type 1 (Heavy) level.

The Stockton Fire Department's US&R Team provides comprehensive, specialized rescue services including High Angle, Confined Space, Trench, Structural Collapse and Mass Transportation rescue.

TRAINING

Stockton Fire Department operates a State certified Rescue Systems I and Confined Space Operations training sites. This allows us to offer California State Fire Marshal certified classes to our members, personnel from outside agencies and private industry. Through the utilization of donated materials, at a minimum cost to the City of Stockton, our US&R Team constructed our training facility. The training site, located at Company 2, includes an intricate underground pipe maze, above and below ground vertical shafts, storage tanks, and a two-story, multi-functional collapse structure. In addition, we have built a fifty-foot, dedicated High-Angle Rescue training tower located at Company 3.

We offer several Rescue Systems I, Confined Space Awareness, and Confined Space Operations classes throughout the year. If you would like more information on upcoming classes or a class schedule, contact Matt Duaime or Van Riviere.

ABOUT US...

The US&R headquarters is located at Company 3 (aka the Snake Pit) near the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. The  Company consists of Engine 3, Truck 3 and Rescue 3. We operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with 3 shifts of nine people (four on the Engine, four on the Truck and one on the Rescue). Of the nine assigned, a minimum of six personnel per shift are trained to the Type 1 (Heavy level). We also have at least two paramedics assigned to the Engine and many of our members are cross-trained in Water Rescue and Hazardous Materials exceeding the minimum standards set by FEMA and OES.

If you would like more information about the Stockton Fire Department US&R Team our address is:

City of Stockton Fire Department

Company 3

1116 East First Street

Stockton, CA 95206  (209) 937-8023

If you are interested in upcoming classes contact:

Matt Duaime

or

Van Riviere

If you would like to order a Snake Pit T-shirt or patch contact:

Matt Short

Thank you for visiting our site. We encourage feedback and welcome any questions you might have concerning Stockton Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team.

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